Light-emitting toy module

ABSTRACT

A light-emitting toy module, light-emitting toy module includes a housing including a main panel and light-transmissive panels connected together and a mating connection structure located at the main panel and the light-transmissive panels for allowing one light-emitting toy module to be detachably connetable to another light-emitting toy module, and a light-emitting electrical connection device mounted in the housing and attached to the main panel for emitting light through the light-transmissive panels and conducting electricity to another attached light-emitting toy module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toy blocks, and more particularly to a light-emitting toy module, which comprises a housing defining therein an accommodation chamber, and a light-emitting electrical connection device mounted in one side inside the accommodation chamber of the housing to provide optimal light-emitting effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various light-emitting toy module designs with light-emitting elements and conducting means are known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,548 discloses a similar design, entitled “Educational building toy modules with interior lights and mechanical connections acting as circuit closers”. According to this design, the educational toy comprises a plurality of interiorly illuminable modules, each of which is electrically interengageable with another module to form a stacked arrangement of modules. Each module contains a lamp therewithin which is energized when the module is connected to another module. This design of educational toy has drawbacks. Because the conducting terminals have different heights, the conducting terminals and the power cable can block a large amount of the light that is emitted by the lamp bulb, lowering the lighting effect. Further, the processing of the conducting terminals and the module requires much labor and time, complicating the fabrication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting toy module, which has the light-emitting electrical connection device mounted in one side of the accommodation chamber inside the housing thereof, minimizing the area in which the light-emitting electrical connection device shades the housing, and maintaining a large area of housing for emitting light.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting toy module, wherein has the set of electrical conducting pins and multiple sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts mounted around the border area of the circuit substrate of the light-emitting electrical connection device thereof so that the set of electrical conducting pins that is extended out of the main panel of the housing can be electrically connected to an external power source, and the multiple sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts are adapted for the connection of the sets of electrical conducting pins of other light-emitting toy modules.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting toy module, wherein the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting electrical connection device are mounted at the center of one surface of the circuit substrate so that the light emitted by the light-emitting elements can go through all light-transmissive panels of the housing of the light-emitting toy module, enhancing the lighting effect.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting toy module, wherein the mating connection structure of the housing is located at the border area of the main panel and the border area of the light-transmissive panels, so that each light-transmissive panel maintains a large area thereof for admitting light, enhancing the lighting effect.

To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a light-emitting toy module comprises a housing and a light-emitting electrical connection device. The housing comprises a main panel and a plurality of light-transmissive panel connected together, and mating connection structure located on the outside of the housing. The housing defines therein an accommodation chamber. Each light-transmissive panel comprises a pair of insertion holes located near one side thereof. The light-emitting electrical connection device comprises a circuit substrate mounted in the accommodation chamber inside the housing and attached to the main panel, a plurality of light-emitting elements mounted at the center of one surface of the circuit substrate, a set of electrical conducting pins and multiple sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts mounted at the border area of the circuit substrate. The set of electrical conducting pins is extended out of the main panel to the outside of the housing. The sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts are respectively disposed corresponding to the insertion holes of the light-transmissive panels. Because the light-emitting electrical connection device is disposed in the accommodation chamber at one side, the area in which the light-emitting electrical connection device shades the housing is minimized, and therefore a large area of housing is maintained for emitting light.

Further, the mating connection structure of the light-emitting toy module is located at the main panel and light-transmissive panels on the outside of the housing so that the main panel of one light-emitting toy module can be detachably connected to the light-transmissive panel of another light-emitting toy module by means of the respective mating connection structures. Further, the mating connection structure comprises a plurality of plug rods located at the main panel of the housing and spaced around the border area thereof, and a plurality of plug holes located at each light-transmissive panel of the housing and spaced around the border area thereof. Thus, the light-transmissive panels maintain a large surface area thereof for emitting light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique top elevational view of a light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an oblique bottom elevational view of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional elevational view of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing, illustrating a connection operation of two light-emitting toy modules in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional elevational view illustrating two light-emitting toy modules vertically connected together in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional elevational view illustrating two light-emitting toy modules horizontally connected together in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an oblique top elevational view of an alternate form of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an oblique top elevational view of another alternate form of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 10 when viewed from another angle.

FIG. 12 is an oblique top elevational view of still another alternate form of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 12 when viewed from another angle.

FIG. 14 is an oblique bottom elevational view of still another alternate form of the light-emitting toy module in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates one application example of the present invention (I).

FIG. 16 illustrates one application example of the present invention (II).

FIG. 17 illustrates another application example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a light-emitting toy module 1 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The light-emitting toy module 1 comprises a housing 11 and a light-emitting electrical connection device 13.

The housing 11 comprises a main panel 111, and a plurality of light-transmissive panels 112. The light-transmissive panels 112 are made from a translucent or semitranslucent material. In this embodiment, the housing 11 exhibit a cubic shape, comprising a main panel 111 and five light-transmissive panels 112. The housing 11 further comprises a mating connection structure 12 located at the main panel 111 and the light-transmissive panels 112 for enabling the main panel 111 and the five light-transmissive panels 112 to be fastened to one another. Further, the housing 11 defines therein an accommodation chamber 113. Further, four of the five light-transmissive panels 112 are respectively connected to the four sides of the main panel 111. Further, each light-transmissive panel 112 comprises at least one, for example, two insertion holes 1121 disposed near one side edge thereof. Further, the mating connection structure 12 comprises a plurality of plug rods 121 located at the main panel 111 of the housing 11 and spaced around the border area thereof, and a plurality of plug holes 122 located at each light-transmissive panel 112 of the housing 11 and spaced around the border area thereof.

The light-emitting electrical connection device 13 is mounted in the accommodation chamber 113 of the housing 11, comprising a circuit substrate 131 having mounted at the center of one surface thereof a plurality of light-emitting elements 132, a set of electrical conducting pins 133 and multiple pairs of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134. In this embodiment, the light-emitting toy module 1 is a cubic module, comprising four sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134; the circuit substrate 131 is mounted at the inner surface of the main panel 111 of the housing 11; the light-emitting elements 132 are mounted at a center area of one surface of the circuit substrate 131 and adapted for emitting light toward each light-transmissive panel 112. Further, the light-emitting elements 132 can be light-emitting diodes or other miniature lamps. The pairs of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134 are respectively disposed corresponding to the insertion holes 1121 of the light-transmissive panels 112 of the housing 11. The set of electrical conducting pins 133 are respectively inserted through the main panel 111 of the housing 11 and exposed to the outside of the main panel 111, so that the light-emitting electrical connection device 13 is kept in the accommodation chamber 113 and abutted to the inner surface of the main panel 111. Therefore, in this embodiment of cubic light-emitting toy module 1, the set of electrical conducting pins 133 extends out of the main panel 111 for power connection; the four sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134 are respectively disposed at the four sides of the circuit substrate 131 for the connection of the set of electrical conducting pins 133 of another light-emitting toy module 1 that is inserted into one of the four light-transmissive panels 112 around the main panel 111.

Further, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, for enabling the light-transmissive panel 112 that is disposed opposite to the main panel 111 to have an electrical conduction function, the light-emitting electrical connection device 13 further comprises a second set of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135 located at one light-transmissive panel 112 that is disposed opposite to the main panel 111 and electrically connected to the circuit substrate 131 with conductors 136. The conductors 136 extend along the border area of the respective light-transmissive panel 112, avoiding blocking light. Further, the second set of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135 located at one light-transmissive panel 112 that is disposed opposite to the main panel 111, and the light-transmissive panel 112 having the insertion holes 1121 disposed adjacent to and in alignment with said set of second electrical conducting receptacle contacts.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7 again, when connecting two light-emitting toy modules 1 in accordance with the present invention, aim the main panel 111 of one light-emitting toy module 1 at one light-transmissive panel 112 of the other light-emitting toy module 1, and then insert the set of electrical conducting pins 133 of the main panel 111 through the insertion holes 1121 of the aligned light-transmissive panel 112 of the other light-emitting toy module 1 into the corresponding set of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134 or the second set of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135 to electrically conducting the two light-emitting toy modules 1.

Further, after insertion of the set of electrical conducting pins 133 of one light-emitting toy module 1 into the insertion holes 1121 of one light-transmissive panel 112 of the other light-emitting toy module 1, the respective plug rods 121 of the mating connection structure 12 of one light-emitting toy module 1 are simultaneously press-fitted into the respective plug holes 122 of one light-transmissive panel 112 of the other light-emitting toy module 1, securing the two light-emitting toy modules 1 firmly together.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternate form of light-emitting toy module 1′ in accordance with the present invention is shown. The housing 11′ of the light-emitting toy module 1′ comprises a main panel 111′, a plurality of light-transmissive panels 112′, and a mating connection structure 12′. The housing 11′ defines therein an accommodation chamber 113′ that accommodates a light-emitting electrical connection device 13′. The light-emitting electrical connection device 13′ comprises a circuit substrate 131′, a plurality of light-emitting elements 132′, a set of electrical conducting pins 133′, a plurality of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134′, and a plurality of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135′ respectively electrically connected to the circuit substrate 131′ with respective conductors 136′. The mating connection structure 12′ comprises a plurality of plug rods 121′ located at the main panel 111′ of the housing 11′ and spaced around the border area thereof, and a plurality of plug holes 122′ located at each light-transmissive panel 112′ of the housing 11′ and spaced around the border area thereof. Each of two selected plug rods 121′ defines therein an axially extended through hole for the insertion of one respective electrical conducting pin 133′. Further, insertion holes 1121′ are formed in the light-transmissive panel 112′. The electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134′ are respectively aimed at the insertion holes 1121′ so that the electrical conducting pins 133′ can be respectively inserted through the insertion holes 1121′ and electrically connected to the electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134′. Further, the electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135′ are insertable through the light-transmissive panel 112′ into the plug holes 122′. The plug holes 122′ can be same as the insertion holes 1121′ so that the electrical conducting pins 133′ can be respectively inserted through the insertion holes 1121′ and electrically connected to the electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135′. Referring to FIGS. 10-14, three different alternate forms of light-emitting toy modules 2, 3, 4 are shown. These alternate forms of light-emitting toy modules 2, 3, 4 are terminal block type light-emitting toy modules. FIG. 16 illustrates one terminal block type light-emitting toy module 4 built up with a predetermined number of light-emitting toy modules 1 and a holder base 5 to form a construction. The other terminal block type light-emitting toy modules 2, 3 can be used with light-emitting toy modules 1 in a similar way for building any of a variety of constructions.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the terminal block type light-emitting toy module 2 comprises a main panel 21, two light-transmissive panels 22, two specially-shaped light-transmissive panels 23, and a light-emitting electrical connection device (not shown). In this embodiment, the terminal block type light-emitting toy module 2 is a triangular terminal block wherein the set of electrical conducting pins 24 of the light-emitting electrical connection device is extended out of the main panel 21; each light-transmissive panel 22 has formed therein two insertion holes 221.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the terminal block type light-emitting toy module 3 comprises a main panel 31, a light-transmissive panel 32, a specially shaped light-transmissive panel 33, and a light-emitting electrical connection device (not shown). In this embodiment, the terminal block type light-emitting toy module 3 is a sector-like terminal block wherein the set of electrical conducting pins 34 of the light-emitting electrical connection device is extended out of the main panel 31; the specially shaped light-transmissive panel 33 is a sector-like hollow housing member; the light-transmissive panel 32 has formed therein two insertion holes 321.

Referring to FIG. 14, the terminal block type light-emitting toy module 4 comprises a main panel 41, three specially shaped light-transmissive panels 42, and a light-emitting electrical connection device (not shown). In this embodiment, the light-emitting toy module 4 is a pyramid-shaped terminal block wherein the set of electrical conducting pins 43 of the light-emitting electrical connection device is extended out of the main panel 41; the specially shaped light-transmissive panels 42 are flat triangular blocks.

Referring to FIGS. 1-16, a plurality of light-emitting toy modules 1 can be used with terminal block types of light-emitting toy modules 2, 3, 4 and a holder base 5 for building any of a variety of toy constructions. Further, the set of electrical conducting pins 133, 24, 34, 43 of one light-emitting toy module 1 or terminal block type light-emitting toy module 2, 3, 4 can be inserted into one respective pair of insertion holes 1121, 221, 321 of another light-emitting toy module 1 or terminal block type light-emitting toy module 2, 3, 4 to electrically conducting the light-emitting toy modules 1 and terminal block type light-emitting toy modules 2, 3, 4.

In one application example as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, light-emitting toy modules 1 are attached to the holder base 5 that is equipped with a power cable 6 and/or battery 7. Further, the holder base 5 comprises multiple pairs of plug holes 51 and via holes 52. When attaching one light-emitting toy module 1 to the holder base 5, insert the set of electrical conducting pins 133 of the light-emitting toy module 1 into selected via holes 52 of the holder base 5 and simultaneously press-fit respective plug rods 121 of the light-emitting toy module 1 into selected plug holes 51 of the holder base 5, and thus, the attached light-emitting toy module 1 is electrically connected to the power cable 6 or battery 7 of the holder base 5, so that the light-emitting elements 132 of each attached light-emitting toy module 1 can be electrically conducted to emit light through the light-transmissive panels 112 toward the outside. Further, when set of electrical conducting pins 133 of another light-emitting toy module 1 are inserted into one pair of insertion holes 1121 at one light-transmissive panel 112 of one light-emitting toy module 1 that has been attached to the holder base 5, the inserted electrical conducting pins 133 will be electrically conducted to one respective first set of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 134 or second set of electrical conducting receptacle contacts 135 so that the light-emitting elements 132 of all attached light-emitting toy modules 1 can be electrically conducted to emit light.

Referring to FIG. 17 and FIGS. 1-3 again, in another application example of the present invention, multiple light-emitting toy modules 1 are arranged in two stacks, and connection blocks 8 are respectively attached to the stacks of light-emitting toy modules 1, enabling the power cables 6 that are electrically connected to the connection blocks 8 to provide electricity of the stacked light-emitting toy modules 1, so that the light-emitting elements 132 of all the light-emitting toy modules 1 can be electrically conducted to emit light 

What is claimed is:
 1. A light-emitting toy module, comprising: a housing defining therein an accommodation chamber, said housing comprising a main panel and a plurality of light-transmissive panels connected to one another and a mating connection structure located at said main panel and said light-transmissive panels for allowing detachable connection between one said light-emitting toy module and another said light-emitting toy module, each said light-transmissive panel comprising a pair of insertion holes for providing electrical power; and a light-emitting electrical connection device mounted in said accommodation chamber inside said housing, said light-emitting electrical connection device comprising a circuit substrate, at least one light-emitting element, a set of electrical conducting pins for accepting electrical power and multiple sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts, said circuit substrate being attached to an inner surface of said main panel of said housing, said sets of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts being spaced around a border area of said circuit substrate and corresponding to the insertion holes of said housing light-transmissive panels, said set of electrical conducting pins being extended out of said main panel outside of said housing; when the main panel of the one said light-emitting toy module is connected to one light-transmissive panel of the another said light-emitting toy module by means of the mating connection structures of the respective said light-emitting toy modules, the set of electrical conducting pins of the one said light-emitting toy module are inserted into one pair of insertion holes of one said light-transmissive panel of the another said light-emitting toy module and electrically conducted to one said set of first electrical conducting receptacle contacts of the another said light-emitting toy module.
 2. The light-emitting toy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mating connection structure comprises a plurality of plug rods located at said main panel and spaced around a border area thereof, and a plurality of plug holes located at each said light-transmissive panel and spaced around a border area thereof, said plug holes being configured to correspond to the configuration of said plug rods.
 3. The light-emitting toy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light-emitting electrical connection device further comprises a set of second electrical conducting receptacle contacts located on a first light-transmissive panel disposed opposite to said main panel and electrically connected to said circuit substrate by conductors, and the insertion holes of the first light-transmissive panel are disposed adjacent to and in alignment with said set of second electrical conducting receptacle contacts.
 4. The light-emitting toy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one light-emitting element is located at a center of a surface of said circuit substrate opposite to said main panel. 